By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 29: Sarawak’s full transition to green energy could take up to 15 years, says Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
He outlined a three-phase plan: a short-term one to three years to reduce fossil fuel use, a transitional phase of three to five years combining oil, gas, and renewables, and a final large-scale shift to green energy.
“The first, short-term phase over 12 months to three years, will focus on reducing oil and gas consumption, managing fuel stocks, and cutting energy use in daily activities, including lowering speed limits.
“The second, transitional phase between three and five years will mix traditional fossil fuels with green energy, before moving to the final stage — a large-scale adoption of renewable sources.
“There are three phases, and the full process could take between 10 and 15 years,” he told reporters when met during his Hari Raya open house at Kasuma Resort today.
Dr Hazland further said the State’s long-term energy plan has been in the works for some time, anchored on Sarawak’s energy transition policy.
“This is a turning point for the world to rethink which alternative energies should be developed. Sarawak started early. We have abundant natural resources — plenty of rivers for hydro, lots of sunshine for solar, and the potential to produce green hydrogen and methanol,” he stressed.
He noted that recent global crises underscore the urgency of the plan.
“The energy crises in the Middle East, and earlier in Ukraine, should serve as lessons for the world, especially ASEAN, to focus on green energy and reduce dependence on oil and gas,” he added. — DayakDaily
